Relay socket

ABSTRACT

A relay socket of the double-pole or quadri-pole type assembled by suitably combining a plurality of unique socket units through a separator or separators. Each of the unique socket units is formed on one side or on opposite sides thereof with a cavity for receiving therein a plurality of connection fittings extending from relay terminal receiving openings to terminal mounting portions.

[ Oct. 29, 1974 United States Patent [191 Fujita et al.

3,474,383 10/1969 Mahon et 339/198 GA X 3,643,210 2/1972 Fu lta... 339/198 G X 3,702,457 11/1972 339/198 G Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Osaka, Japan Assistant Examiner-Lawrence J. Staab [22] Filed: Apr. 20, 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmElliott l. Pollack [21] App]. No.: 353,023

ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 21, 1972 4740691 A relay socket of the double-pole or quadri-pole type assembled by suitably combining a plurality of unique [52] US. 339/192 R, 339/198 G Socket units through a Separator or separators. Each [51] Int. H011 33/76 of the unique socket units is formed on one side or on [58] Fleld of Search............ 339/192, 198 R, 198 G, opposite Sides thereof with a cavity for receiving 339/198 198 198 K, 198 198 S therein a plurality of connection fittings extending from relay terminal receiving openings to terminal mounting portions.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures 2,981,922 4/1961 Van Valkenburg et al.. 339/198 GA mammumsm 3345460 SHEU 307 a RELAY SOCKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to relay sockets of the doublepole and quadri-pole type and more particularly to a socket which is composed of a combination of socket units having a single or double rows of terminal connections.

As is commonly known, conventional sockets of this kind are mostly offered in the form of individual moldings having different terminal rows. Thus, management of stock has been very complex and troublesome due to the fact that the relay sockets must be classified and stored according to, for example, the number of terminal rows. Further, manufacture of such relay sockets has required high costs due to the fact that different molds must be prepared for the molding of these relay sockets. Furthermore, it has been very troublesome to properly mount connection fittings in such conventional sockets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With a view to obviate these and other defects of the conventional relay socket, the inventors have proposed a socket having any desired number of terminal rows which socket is composed by combining a suitable number of socket units each having a single row of terminal connections. Basically, the present invention is based on the above idea of dividing a socket into a plurality of socket units.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved relay socket of the double-pole or quadri-pole type which can be simply and conveniently assembled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a socket of the above type which is especially effective for application to relays having a special terminal arrangement.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view of a quadri-pole relay socket according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the relay socket shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a double-pole relay socket according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the relay socket shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a socket unit.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of connection fittings preferably employed in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, socket units 1 and 2 are molded from an electrical insulator so that each unit provides a single row of terminal connections. The socket units 1 and 2 comprise generally rectangular central lands I1 and 21, respectively. A plurality of vertically offset terminal mounting portions l2, l3 and 22, 23 having a U-like shape are formed on opposite sides of the central lands 11 and 21 respectively. Separators 14 and 24 are fixed to the rear or outer face of the respective socket units 1 and 2 as an integral part of the latter and are suitably vertically offset at portions corresponding to the respective terminal mounting portions 12 and 22 as shown. A plurality of slots 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b are bored in the upper face of the respective central lands 11 and 21 so as to receive the terminals of a relay (not shown) therein. In the illustrated example, the slots 11a and 21a are arranged in parallel with the walls of the terminal mounting portions l2, l3 and 22, 23, respectively, while the slots 11b and 21b are arranged in perpendicular relation with the walls of the terminal mounting portions 12, 13 and 22, 23, respectively. These slots 11a, 11b, 21a and 21b are disposed to register the special terminal arrangement of the relay. The lower end of the slots 11a and 11b in the socket unit 1 communicates with the space defined within the terminal mounting portions 12 and 13 through a cavity 15. Similarly, the lower end of the slots 21a and 21b in the socket unit 2 communicates with the space defined within the terminal mounting portions 22 and 23 through a cavity 25. These cavities 15, 25 and the slots 11a, 11b, and 21a, 21b are open on the front or inner side of the respective socket units 1 and 2.

A plurality of spaced perforations 16 and 26 extend through the body portion of the socket units 1 and 2 so as to receive therein corresponding connection lugs 33 and 34 provided on separators 3 and 4 (described later), respectively. Bores 33a and 43a are provided in the respective connection lugs 33 and 43 so that rivets 10 can extend therethrough. Fixing means 17 and 27 project outwardly from a substantially central lower portion of the rear or outer face of the respective socket units 1 and 2. The separators 3 and 4 are fixed to the front or inner side of the respective socket units 1 and 2 and are in the form of a molding of an electrical insulator having a small thickness. The separators 3 and 4 are formed with shielding portions 31 and 41 opposite to the central lands 11 and 21 of the socket units 1 and 2, respectively, and these portions 31 and 41 have a thickness slightly larger than that of the other portions 32 and 42 0f the separators 3 and 4. The portions 32 and 42 of the separators 3 and 4 on opposite sides of these shielding portions 31 and 41 are suitably offset so that they have a height corresponding to the height of the terminal mounting portions 12, 13 and 22, 23 of the socket units 1 and 2, respectively.

Another socket unit 5, which is also molded from an electrical insulator and has two rows of terminal connections, is disposed between the socket units 1 and 2 with the separators 3 and 4 interposed therebetween. The socket unit 5 comprises a longitudinally extending central separator 54, a pair of rows of terminal connections 50 disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the central separator 54, and a pair of central lands 51. A plurality of vertically offset terminal mounting portions 52 and 53 having a U-like shape are formed on opposite sides of each central land 51. In the illustrated example, one of the terminal mounting portions 53 in each row is closed at the upper end thereof and is not in use. A plurality of slots 51a for receiving the terminals of the relay are bored in the upper face of the central lands 51 in parallel .with the walls of the terminal mounting portions 52 and 53. The terminal connections, 50 of each of the pair of rows are closed on the rear side thereof by the central separator 54 and are open on the front side thereof. The lower end of the slots 51a in each row communicates with the space defined within the terminal mounting portions 52 and 53 through a cavity 55, and these cavities 55 and slots 51a are open to the exterior as in the case of the socket units 1 and 2..A plurality of spaced perforations 56 extend through the body portion of the socket unit 5 so as to receive herein the connection lugs 33 and 43 provided on the respective separators 3 and 4.

FIG. 6 shows a plurality of connection fittings 6, 7, 8 and 9 preferably employed in the present invention. These connection fittings 6, 7, 8 and 9 comprise plug receiving terminal strips 61,71, 81 and 91 adapted to be inserted into the-slots 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b and 51a, and substantiallyt r- -shaped connection strips 62, 72, 82 and 92 adapted to be inserted into the cavities 15, 25 and 55, respectively. The terminal strips 61, 71, 81 and 91 are fitted on one end of the respective connection strips 62, 72, 82 and 92, and threaded holes 62a, 72a, 82a and 92a for receiving terminal screws therein are formed on the other end of the respective connection strips 62, 72, 82 and 92.

According to the present invention, the socket units 1 and 2, separators 3 and 4, and socket unit 5 are combined to complete a relay socket of the quadri-pole type, or the socket units 1 and 2 and one of the separators 3 and 4 are combined to complete a relay socket of the doublepole type. In order to ensure the assembling, the end face of the central lands 11 and 21 on the open side of the socket units 1 and 2 are slightly recessed relative to the corresponding end face of the terminal mounting portions 12, 13 and 22, 23 of the socket units 1 and 2 so that the boundary portions therebetween are offset as shown by 110 and 210. In the illustrated example, projections 11d and 21d are provided at the boundary portions of the central lands 1] and 21 adjacent to the terminal mounting portions so that the end face of these boundary portions is flush with the end face of the terminal mounting portions on the open side of the socket units 1 and 2. On the other band, due to the fact that the portions 32 and 42 of the separators 3 and 4 have a smaller thickness than that of the shielding portions 31 and 41, offset projections 31a and 41a are formed at the boundary between the portions 32 and shielding portion 31 and between the portions 42 and shielding portion 41, respectively. Further, the end face of the central lands 51 of the socket unit 5 are also slightly recessed relative to the end face of the terminal mounting portions 52 and 53 on the open sides of the socket unit 5. Thus, the boundary portions therebetween are also offset as shown by 510. Projections 51d are formed at the boundary portions between the central lands 51 and the terminal mounting portions 52 and 53 of the socket unit 5. Therefore, the offset projecting portions and offset receding por tions engage each other during assembling of the socket units and separators thereby ensuring an intimate fit.

The socket according to the present invention can be assembled in a manner as described below. When it is desired to complete a relay socket of the quadri-pole type, the socket units 1 and 2, separators 3 and 4 and socket unit 5 are employed. The separators 3 and 4 are first disposed opposite to the open side of the socket units 1 and 2, respectively, and then, the socket unit 5 is disposed between the separators 3 and 4 in the manner shown in FIG. 4. The connection fittings 6, 7, 8 and 9 are previously inserted into the socket units 1, 2 and 5 from the open side of the latter so that the plug receiving terminal strips 61, 71, 81 and 91 can be fitted into the slots 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b and 51a of the respective socket units 1, 2 and 5, and the connection strips 62, 72, 82 and 92 can be received in the cavities 15, 25 and 55 with their ends having the threaded holes 62a. 72a, 82a and 92a resting on the upper face of the terminal mounting portions 12, 13, 22, 23, 52 and 53 of the respective socket units 1, 2 and 5. After combining the socket unit 1 with the separator 3 and combining the socket unit 2 with the separator 4, these combinations are mounted on the opposite sides of the socket unit 5 to complete the assembling of the relay socket of the quadri-pole type. Alternatively. after combining the separators 3 and 4 with the socket unit 5, the socket units 1 and 2 are mounted on the opposite sides of this combination to complete the assembling of the relaysocket of the quadri-pole type. Upon assembling in the manner above described, the fastening rivets 10 are inserted from the perforations 16 of the socket unit 1 or perforations 26 of the socket unit 2 to extend through the assembly and are caulked at the other end thereof to fasten the assembly. When it is desired to complete a relay socket of the double-pole type, one of the sepa-' rators 3 and 4 is interposed between the socket units 1 and 2. The connection fittings 6 and 7 are fitted into the socket units 1 and 2 prior to the assembling of the socket units and separator as in the preceding case. Upon assembling of the relay socket of the double-pole type, the fastening rivets 10 are used to fasten the assembly, but in this case, the rivets 10 have a length corresponding to the thickness of the assembly.

It will be understood from the foregoing detailed description that the present invention is advantageous in that the connection fittings can be very easily mounted in the socket due to the fact that the socket is split into a plurality of socket units each of which has an open side for facilitating insertion of the connection fittings. The present invention is further advantageous in that the two kinds of relay sockets, that is, the relay socket of the double-pole type and the relay socket of the quadri-pole type can be obtained by merely preparing the socket units 1 and 2 having a single row of terminal connections, socket unit 5 having two rows of terminal connections, and separators 3 and 4. Furthermore, the fact that the socket unit 5 is open on opposite sides thereof is advantageous in that only three socket units are required for assembling the relay socket of the quadri-pole type resulting in reductions in the number of molds and costs for assembling in contrast to the prior art structure in which four socket units have been generally required for assembling such a relay socket. According to the present invention, the socket units 1 and 2 having a single row of terminal connections are arranged to constitute the outer elements of the socket. This arrangement is advantageous in that these socket units can be relatively easily molded even when the slots 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b in the upper face ofthe central lands 11 and 21 are arranged in a special pattern as illustrated. This arrangement is especially effective for the sockets of the double-pole and quadri-pole type having a special terminal arrangement. However, the arrangement of the slots is in no way limited to the pattern illustrated in the drawing. The relay socket according to the present invention can be easily fixed to a mounting means such as a mounting rail having a narrow width by the fixing means 17 and 27 provided on the rear or outer face of the socket units 1 and 2. F urther, although the two separators are designated by the different reference numerals 3 and 4, they have the the A relay socket assembly for electrically connecting terminals of a quadri-pole relay plug to external lead wires comprising:

first and second socket units having respective configurations which are substantially symmetrical with each other,

each of said first and second socket units including a front open side, a back wall side, a center land portion formed to provide a plurality of terminalreceiving slots which are open at an upper surface of said center land portion and which are adapted to receive the terminals of a relay plug, at least one lead-out terminal mounting portion formed at each of the opposite sides of said center land portion and adapted to mount a lead-out terminal to be connected with one of the external lead wires, and a cavity portion spatially communicating each of said terminal-receiving slots with the corresponding lead-out terminal mounting portion, said cavity portion being open at said front open side of said socket unit and being closed at its back side by said back wall side of said socket unit;

first and second separator plates having substantially the same configurations as one another;

third socket unit which has an intermediate wall portion, said third socket unit having first and second opposing open sides separated by said intermediate wall portion and having respective configurations which are substantially symmetrical with each other, a further center land portion provided on each of the opposite sides of said intermediate wall portion and formed with a plurality of terminalreceiving slots which are open at an upper surface of said further center land portion and which are adapted to receive the terminals of the relay plug, at least one lead-out terminal mounting portion formed at each of the opposite sides of each of said further center land portions and adapted to mount a lead-out terminal to be connected with another one of the external lead wires, and a pair of further cavity portions formed respectively on the opposite sides of said intermediate wall portion and communicating each of said terminal-receiving slots of said third socket unit with the corresponding leadout terminal mounting portion of said third socket unit, each of said further cavity portions being open at the corresponding open side of said third socket unit and being closed at its back side by said intermediate wall portion of said third socket unit;

a plurality of metallic connection fittings each having one end formed to provide one of said lead-out terminals and having its other end fitted with a plug receiving terminal for electrical connection with the terminal of the relay plug;

said first, second and third socket units, said first and second separator plates, and said metallic connec tion fittings being assembled into said relay socket assembly with said front open sides of said first and second socket units being disposed in opposing relation to said first and second open sides of said third socket unit respectively, and with said first and second separator plates being interposed between said first and third socket units and between said second and third socket units, respectively, each of said metallic connection fittings being mounted in a corresponding one of said cavity portions of said first, second, and third socket units with its plug receiving terminal being disposed in a corresponding one of said terminal-receiving slots and with its lead-out terminal being disposed on a corresponding one of said lead-out terminal mounting portions. 

1. A relay socket assembly for electrically connecting the terminals of a quadri-pole relay plug to external lead wires comprising: first and second socket units having respective configurations which are substantially symmetrical with each other, each of said first and second socket units including a front open side, a back wall side, a center land portion formed to provide a plurality of terminal-receiving slots which are open at an upper surface of said center land portion and which are adapted to receive the terminals of a relay plug, at least one lead-out terminal mounting portion formed at each of the opposite sides of said center land portion and adapted to mount a lead-out terminal to be connected with one of the external lead wires, and a cavity portion spatially communicating each of said terminal-receiving slots with the correspondiNg leadout terminal mounting portion, said cavity portion being open at said front open side of said socket unit and being closed at its back side by said back wall side of said socket unit; first and second separator plates having substantially the same configurations as one another; a third socket unit which has an intermediate wall portion, said third socket unit having first and second opposing open sides separated by said intermediate wall portion and having respective configurations which are substantially symmetrical with each other, a further center land portion provided on each of the opposite sides of said intermediate wall portion and formed with a plurality of terminal-receiving slots which are open at an upper surface of said further center land portion and which are adapted to receive the terminals of the relay plug, at least one lead-out terminal mounting portion formed at each of the opposite sides of each of said further center land portions and adapted to mount a lead-out terminal to be connected with another one of the external lead wires, and a pair of further cavity portions formed respectively on the opposite sides of said intermediate wall portion and communicating each of said terminal-receiving slots of said third socket unit with the corresponding lead-out terminal mounting portion of said third socket unit, each of said further cavity portions being open at the corresponding open side of said third socket unit and being closed at its back side by said intermediate wall portion of said third socket unit; a plurality of metallic connection fittings each having one end formed to provide one of said lead-out terminals and having its other end fitted with a plug receiving terminal for electrical connection with the terminal of the relay plug; said first, second and third socket units, said first and second separator plates, and said metallic connection fittings being assembled into said relay socket assembly with said front open sides of said first and second socket units being disposed in opposing relation to said first and second open sides of said third socket unit respectively, and with said first and second separator plates being interposed between said first and third socket units and between said second and third socket units, respectively, each of said metallic connection fittings being mounted in a corresponding one of said cavity portions of said first, second, and third socket units with its plug receiving terminal being disposed in a corresponding one of said terminal-receiving slots and with its lead-out terminal being disposed on a corresponding one of said lead-out terminal mounting portions. 